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L.A. city crews on Friday started repainting a set of crosswalks around the popular Stoner Park that residents had painted themselves a week ago — only to be promptly scrubbed off.
A week ago, the Department of Transportation removed a set of unsanctioned crosswalks painted by community members led by Sawtelle resident Jonathan Hale, who said the intersections are too dangerous for pedestrians and kids who frequent the popular park and its many amenities.
Hale was on hand as crews began work on Friday. In late May, he had gathered a group of friends and neighbors to first put in the DIY crosswalks after learning the ropes from the organization Crosswalks Collective LA.
City workers at an intersection around Stoner Park in West L.A. on Friday morning, getting ready to install permanent crosswalks.
A Bobcat loader is readying an intersection around Stoner Park in West L.A. to install permanent crosswalks.
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Dañiel Martinez
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LAist
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“I’m really excited,” Hale said. “Also, hey, it’s a win, you know, I’m really proud.”
After DIY crosswalks were removed last Friday, Hale contacted the city and the Department of Transportation to make his case — and vowed to repaint them again.
Councilmember Traci Park also told LAist she had asked the city to keep the unsanctioned crosswalks, without success.
Sawtelle resident Johnathan Hale, who led the community effort to get crosswalks installed around Stoner Park in West L.A. He showed up on Friday morning as city workers put in permanent crossings.
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Dañiel Martinez
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LAist
)
On Thursday, Hale told LAist he got a call from that the city saying permanent crosswalks would be installed.
“I’ve been kind of communicating with the DOT, and then the mayor’s office reached out to me yesterday, basically saying that they would make these changes,” Hale said.
In addition, he said the city has agreed to meet with the community to take questions about infrastructure needs.
As to why the city removed the unsanctioned crosswalks in the first place, Hale said he finally found out from the city.
“The first is liability,” Hale said. “Having markings at the crosswalk makes it more dangerous because it invites pedestrians to cross the street.”
Another reason? Hale said city officials told him that in order to put in the crosswalks, they’d need to renovate the sidewalks to be ADA compliant. We reached out to the office of councilmember Traci Park, and that of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, for comment.
Still, after a week of outcry, the city has agreed to put the crosswalks back in.
West L.A. resident Minal Mehta was thrilled the crosswalks will be a permanent feature because she and her children visit the park.
“I want to say thank you to the community effort,” Mehta said. “It’s really cool that the city actually listens.”